The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

meltotheanyAside

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“I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.”

This is one of the best books I’ve ever had the privilege to read. It is probably in the top five for best books I’ve ever read in my entire life. I have been looking for a book like this my entire life, and no combination of words I’m about to type, and you’re about to read, is going to do this masterpiece justice. But I will say that Gabby, Joce, Amelie, and Elyse were all right, and I’m so happy I listened to them, because this book is worth every single ounce of hype.

And when I say that this book is lifechanging, I truly mean it. This book is sold as a historical romance, where you learn about a fictional, famous, old Hollywood actress and all her marriages. What you get is a book that stars a bisexual, Cuban woman who was never allowed to talk about the love of her life; her wife. And when I say I cried during this book, I truly mean that I probably need to buy a new copy because I was the biggest mess you’ve ever seen.

“And it will be the tragedy of my life that I cannot love you enough to make you mine. That you cannot be loved enough to be anyone’s.”

On top of this being a powerful book about race, sexuality, misogyny, and having to conform to societies norms, the true meaning I took from this book is that life is short, so damn short, and we shouldn’t spend it pretending to be something we aren’t. And we shouldn’t spend it doing anything less than loving the people who are worthy and deserving of our love.

“I didn’t need boys in order to feel good. And that realization gave me great power.”

We follow Evelyn from the very start; losing her mother very young, her body developing very quickly, noticing others noticing her developing body, marrying a man so she can leave the dead-end city she grew up in, so she can become something more. Evelyn is unapologetic with her actions, and it is one of the most empowering things I’ve ever read. She plays so many more parts than the roles she is cast in. And Evelyn learns really quickly how to play each and every man she is forced to interact with, and she quickly learns what she can gain from each and every one of them, too.

This story is told from two different timelines and two different points of view. One from Monique Grant, who is a biracial (white and African-American) woman who is going through a fresh divorce and trying to make something of herself in the journalism field. And her life changes the day her editor tells her how Evelyn Hugo is demanding her, and only her, to write something for her.

“Heartbreak is loss. Divorce is a piece of paper.”

The other timeline(s) are all the different times in Evelyn’s life, and the different seven husbands that she had, while she is recounting the events that lead her to be telling Monique this story. Evelyn has lived a very full life, and is in her late seventies now, and is finally ready to talk about her life. But the entire book we are guessing why she has chosen only Monique for this job.

“Make them pay you what they would pay a white man.”

If you guys have been following my reviews, you’ll probably know that I talk about found family and how important it is to me a lot, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the epitome of how beautiful a found family can be. Evelyn and Harry’s friendship in this was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read in my entire reading life.

“When you write the ending, Monique, make sure the reader understands that all I was ever really looking for was family. Make sure it’s clear that I found it. Make sure they know that I am heartbroken without it.”

And the romance? The true romance in this book is the most romantic thing I have ever read in my entire life. And you guys know I’ve read a ton of romances, but they are all lesser to this. Every single one of them can’t compare with the romance in this book. I feel like every time I’ve used the word “perfect” to describe something that wasn’t the romance in this book, then I used the word wrong.

“Please never forget that the sun rises and sets with your smile. At least to me it does. You’re the only thing on this planet worth worshipping.”

How many Evelyn and Celias are there in the world? How many are still playing the role that Evelyn was forced to play? I cry for every single person who must hide who they are, and who they want to love. And this book talks about many big things in queer history; from the Stonewall riots to the disgusting Reagan administration, but life still isn’t anywhere close to equal in 2018. The prejudices, the discrimination, the virus/syndrome blaming, the looks I’ve experienced holding a girl’s hand while walking into a restaurant? Those are still in 2018, in the United States, but people act like none of those things exists because marriage is legalized, begrudgingly. I’m not writing this review to get on my soapbox, but I promise, we have a lot more work to do. And this book, this book lit a fire under me.

I personally identify as pansexual, but I felt like the bisexual rep in this was a tier above anything my eyes have ever seen. Seeing Evelyn love all the parts of her, and all the different parts of her love, was something so awe-inspiring. I am still so overwhelmed with feelings, but if you identify as bi or pan, this is a love letter to you, I promise.

“I was a lesbian when she loved me and a straight woman when she hated me.”

This book also focuses a huge importance on motherhood throughout the entirety of this book, and then I read the acknowledgement and started weeping all over again. Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to evoke the strongest emotions from me, and I just pray that things will be different for the generation of kids being raised right now.

This was the first thing I’ve read by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I will buy every single new thing she produces. The writing was so lyrical and addicting. I mean, I have a quote between almost every paragraph. This whole book deserves to be highlighted. The characters, well, my mind has now forever imagined that these are real people now, so there is that. The topics, themes, and discussions are beyond important. This book just makes me feel so passionately. This book is one of the most empowering pieces of literature I’ve ever consumed. And I am not the same person I was before this book.

“I told her every single day that her life had been the world’s greatest gift to me, that I believed I was put on earth not to make movies or wear emerald-green gowns and wave at crowds but to be her mother.”

If you guys ever take a recommendation from me; please have it be The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Please, I’m actually begging you. I promise, this book is lifechanging, and I equally promise you that this book changed mine. There is magic between these four-hundred-pages. Pure magic. This story is addicting, enthralling, and so important. And if you’re an Evelyn, in 2018, I see you, but I hope it doesn’t take you as long as it took her to be happy. This will forever be one of the best books of my life, and I’ll cherish it forever.

“People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is “You’re safe with me”—that’s intimacy.”

Trigger/Content Warnings: death of a loved one, death of a child, talk of suicide, unhealthy dieting, underage sex with an adult, abortion, talk of miscarriage, a lot of physical abuse, cheating, dunk driving, and homophobic slurs.

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Buddy read with May & Alexis! ❤

67 thoughts on “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid”

  2. Wow, your review. I’ve read so many positive, good reviews about this book but yours, I think is so far the most precise. It feels like I’ve already met Evelyn and already know her story. Though that doesn’t make me think there’s no need to read the book now, instead you just make me want to read it more so I can know more about this amazing character. 🙂

    I’ve been putting this off coz I know about the potential triggers and i’m not sure about my depression if I can handle it. Hopefully. 🙂

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  3. I am so happy this book is getting the love it deserves. I didn’t expect to love this book so much, but I did. I couldn’t even write a review as good as yours because I couldn’t put down all of the amazingness in this book. It also put me in a hardcore book slump but it was worth it.

    – Chantel

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    1. Awh, this warmed my heart. I honestly feel skimpy because of it. NOTHING will compare. And honestly? Even this review… it doesn’t even come close to this book. But thank you so much, Chantel, you are so kind. Happy reading and happy spring! 🌸💗

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      1. I felt the exact same about my review. Basically, I’m just pushing the book on everyone because it’s hard to explain how good it is. Happy reading and happy spring to you too, Mel!

        -Chantel

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    1. Oh my gosh! I tried watching your story at dinner last night, but it was so choppy from bad internet! But I did see you haul this one and may or may not have squealed in the restaurant! Hahaha! Happy reading, beautiful! ❤️😘

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  11. Beautiful review, Mel! I loved this book too. You can really tell when an author gets relationships. All kinds of relationships. There is so much packed into this book but it’s all so very authentic and relevant. It never feels like it’s trying too hard.

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  16. LOOOOOOVE everything about your review Mel!!! ❤ ❤ ❤ I knew that it had deeply moved you but now I know it's one I really need to MAKE time for. I am also so very happy that you mentioned Evelyn's Cuban descent, cause I don't feel it's put out there as much as everything else that makes this book so amazing. It's in my April TBR so I will finally get to GUSH all about it with you soon! 🙂

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    1. Awhhh, Lilly, you are just too kind! BUT THANK YOU! Ahhh, yeah, when I read that Evelyn was a PoC, I swear, I sent a little thank you up above. What a damn blessing! I cannot wait to gush with you, it’s going to be… the highlight of my April, I just know it! Happy reading, Lilly love! ❤ xx

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      1. Awww!!! Thanks Mel! April is but a few days away and I hope it continues to be as epic as these first few mths have been reading. Evelyn Hugo alone is something to look forward to so expect the voice notes 😂

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      2. I’m going to be LIVING for the voice notes! LIVING! I hope you’re having a good day, beautiful! I’ll be free in…. about an hour! *watches clock tick down and cries* Haha! 💗xx

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  17. Wonderful review! I’ve only read one Taylor Jenkins Reid novel, One True Loves, but it was so good I want to read all of them now. This one sound amazing! I’m so excited for the perfect romance ❤️

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    1. YOU ARE GONNA LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH, LOVE! Ahhhh! Please, oh please, gush with me if you pick it up! And thank you so much for your kind words! You are so damn kind! Happy reading, beautiful! ❤ xx

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  18. Mel, this is SUCH a beautiful and amazing review oh my god. I’m so so happy to hear you loved this, and that it meant a lot to you!! I’ve been meaning to read it since December but I need it more than ever now! I’m hoping to read it in June for Pride Month ahaha (which, we should definitely schedule a queer book BR for 💘). Love your review!!

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    1. May, yes! Honestly pick any book you want that I haven’t read and we will do it! I hope in June I can read all LGBTQIAP+ books, so like, if we wait until then… we are going to have SOME OPTIONS! Haha! And you are going to love this book so much, May, I promise. Like, it’s going to be one of you new all-time favorites, too! I can’t wait to gush with youuuu! ❤ xx

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